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The Green Bay Packers have a boasting safety, and they have also added a new cornerback. But neither of those things will be able to make up for a fatal flaw that will derail their hopes in the NFC playoffs.
Talking is one thing. Doing is another. And the Packers can’t hold up against the run. They also struggle against the pass in later downs.
Overall, their fatal flaw is defense. And that will hurt when they travel to face the Chicago Bears in a Wild Card game on Saturday at 8 p.m. (ET). Somehow, the Packers are still a 1.5-point favorite despite the defensive situation.
Yes, losing Parsons was a big deal. But it’s a fact, and the Packers have to try to live with it in the postseason. His absence hurts, especially against the passing game, according to ESPN.
“The Packers’ pass defense has been outstanding on first down,” Aaron Schatz wrote. “It ranks third in DVOA and allows an NFL-low 5.1 net yards per dropback. The problem comes on later downs. On second, third, and fourth downs, the Packers rank 26th in defensive DVOA and allow 5.9 net yards per dropback. It has been particularly bad since edge rusher Micah Parsons went down with a torn ACL, as the Packers have allowed 8.3 net yards per dropback on second through fourth downs in their past three games.
“This is going to be a problem in the playoffs. On second down, three of the four best passing teams in the league are the Rams, Seahawks, and 49ers. And the league’s best passing teams on third down include the 49ers and Eagles.”
But as bad as the pass defense looks, the run defense is equally poor. The Packers’ horrible effort against the Ravens is hard to ignore. And they get a powerful run team right off the bat. The Bears are No. 3 in the NFL with 144.5 yards per game. There’s no Derrick Henry in Chicago’s backfield, but it may not matter. Can the Packers tackle anybody?
Head coach Matt LaFleur tried to absorb some of the problem within the coaching staff, according to PackersWire.com.
“Certainly, we have to coach our guys a lot better,” LaFleur said. “There was way too many mistakes in regards to misalignments and missed assignments. And when you do that against a good football team, you see the results. That was probably the most disappointing thing after watching the tape. It’s just how many times we weren’t playing the right technique or weren’t in the right position to make a play. And when we did have opportunities, when we were in position, there was some moments where we played really good run defense.
“But it was just too hit or miss. Stuff we’ve been calling since the preseason, throughout camp, throughout the course of the season, that — whether it’s a check or not getting the right adjustments. You can’t do that, knowing...
